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It’s a bird, it’s a plane…it’s our first-ever Speedy Spud, Izzy Aguiar!
In her quest to become the fastest tuber on two legs, Izzy shared, “According to all known laws of aviation, there’s no way a potato should be able to get off the ground. As the Speedy Spud, I will show you how high the potato can fly.”
I’m from San Diego, CA and currently living in Fort Worth, TX as a medical student at TCU Burnett School of Medicine.
I started running in middle school when my mom forced me to join the team, but I loved the individual aspect of the sport, specifically how your results are only determined by how much effort you decide to put into training. I ran all four years of high school and ran for two years as a cross country and track athlete at TCU.
After leaving competitive running, I still run because I find it to be a great stress reliever in my busy school schedule. In addition, I made such great friends and found a supportive community that inspires me to continue to train for races in my free time. I also have gotten into triathlons after leaving competitive running as another way to keep my inspirations and motivations alive.
Another reason I still run is that I have been able to inspire other people to train for races that would have originally been outside of their comfort zones, and I hope to continue to inspire people. Running has been such an impactful part of my life, and I have so many reasons why I love to run!
I am currently running 5 days a week, with a long run at the end of the week. I am running just easy runs now, but in October, I will start adding speed work. My goal is to get to around 30-33 miles per week for the half marathon. I am currently at about 28-29.
My fueling plan is not as specific, as I strive to eat 3 nutritious meals a day because fueling my body will be important to achieve the goals I have. In addition, hydration is key!! Especially living in Texas, as it is still in the mid 90s in September. I always have a water bottle on me, no matter where I am.
As a medical student, I always find myself crunched for time and trying to fit in a workout whenever I can. Potatoes are an essential aspect to fueling for training, as most potato dishes are easy to make in a short period of time, perfect for my schedule!
I am also selective about what I eat before runs because my stomach can be sensitive. Potatoes are one of the easiest things for me to digest before runs, but are also nutrient dense so that I always have enough energy to finish all my workouts.
Mashed potatoes are one of my favorite potato dishes! Not only are they super easy and simple to make, there are a million toppings you can add to them, so it feels like you are having a new dish each time!
Hash browns!!! Every Sunday, my family and I used to make breakfast together, and my dad would make hash browns for us each time. I loved eating them plain, but also loved them in a breakfast burrito with eggs and bacon. I have a very nostalgic association with hash browns.
I have run many races before, but I thought it would be a unique experience to try out a race in a potato suit! I love a good story and trying new experiences, and I think running a half marathon in a potato suit will definitely be a joyful memory years from now.
In addition, I also get the opportunity to send a message to others following me along on my journey about the nutritional benefit of potatoes. As a medical student and aspiring physician, I strive to motivate and educate my patients about the benefits of a healthy lifestyle, and I think being a Speedy Spud is a unique experience that I can reflect upon later as a physician.
You don’t have to be the speedy spud to fuel your workouts with potatoes. They’re a nutrient-dense vegetable that provides the energy, potassium, and Vitamin C you need to perform your best, no matter how you train or compete.
Learn more about potatoes’ nutritional benefits, get inspired by other athletes, and take part in challenges to win prizes by becoming a part of Team Potato.